Water skills training device and method of use

ABSTRACT

A water skills training device to facilitate water skills training for infants under the supervision of caretakers in shallow water environments is disclosed. The device includes a base to be placed in a shallow water environment, a receptacle placed onto the base and configured to receive and support an infant, and a floatation cushion removably engaged to the base and configured to support an infant&#39;s head or upper torso during water skills training. The floatation cushion can be easily removed or added as desired.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63/172,537, titled “Bathtub Water Skills Training Device and Method,” filed Apr. 8, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporate herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate to water skills training aids and more particularly to water skills training aids for use in shallow water environments.

BACKGROUND

In the United States, an estimated 2,000 fatal drownings and 4,500 nonfatal drownings involving children under the age of 5 occur yearly. More children ages 1 to 4 die from drowning than any other cause of death except birth defects. Even nonfatal drownings may have serious long-term consequences such as permanent brain damage.

Young children who are taught and regularly practice water skills are significantly less likely to fatally or nonfatally drown. However, access to water skills lessons to prevent such tragic accidents are often unavailable to infants, inconvenient for working caretakers, or simply unaffordable.

Currently there are no water skills training devices for infants available on the market designed for use at home. Although there are products intended to assist caretakers with teaching young children basic water safety skills, such products are intended for use in swimming pools and often times cannot be practically used in bathtubs. Additionally, such products are generally targeted and designed for older toddlers and young children, making them unsafe for infants to use. Finally, there are no products which safely place infants in a true prone position while submerged or partially submerged in the water.

The prone position, commonly referred to as the “dead man's float”, is one of the most important positions for infants and young children to learn while swimming. The human body will float in water as long as the lungs are full of air. By learning the prone position, infants can learn to readily make their bodies float without expending a significant amount of energy. This is an important survival technique. Furthermore, the prone position allows infants to swim more efficiently and effectively by teaching them to relax in the water, the way their body should feel in the water, and how to keep their face underwater without panicking. Finally, teaching infants the prone position is a good gateway for teaching infants to flip over and float on their backs.

It would therefore be desirable to have a convenient and inexpensive way for caretakers to teach infants lifesaving water skills in the convenience of their own home and on their own schedule.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is disclosed further in the detailed description of the embodiments. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The embodiments provided herein relate to a water skills training device (“the device”), including a base and a receptacle. The base of the device has a weight distribution that allows the assembled device to stay in place on a bathtub floor during use. The receptacle of the device is attached onto the base and serves to receive and support the baby during the device's use.

Some embodiments, including the preferred embodiment, include a floatation cushion removably engaged to the base with one or more tethers whereby the flotation cushion supports an infant's head or torso during use.

The device is portable such that it may be easily stored in a closet or on a shelf. Furthermore, the device may be quickly and easily set up by a caretaker for use in a bathtub or other shallow water location. Such convenience facilitates regular use of the device during an infant's typical bath or shower times.

Typical use of the device includes: placing the base on a bathtub floor, securing the receptacle onto the base, attaching the floatation cushion to the base, filling up the bathtub until the water level reaches the desired level, adjusting the length of the tether(s) to a desired length, and placing the infant into the receptacle such that the infant can safely and effectively partake in water skills training.

In one aspect, the floatation cushion is removably engaged to the base with a singular tether.

In one aspect, the floatation cushion is cylindrical and is engaged to the base with two tethers.

In one aspect, the floatation cushion has an oval cross-section and is engaged to the base with two tethers.

In one aspect, the bottom portion of the base is constructed of a dense material such that the stability of the device during use is improved.

In one aspect, the bottom portion of the base is constructed of a dense material such that the stability of the device during use is improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding on the embodiments, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by references to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a left side view of the device, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a left side view of the preferred embodiment with the floatation cushion attached;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the preferred embodiment with the floatation cushion attached in relation to a bathtub and water line during use FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the device, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the preferred embodiment with the floatation cushion attached;

FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of the device, according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric view of the preferred embodiment with the floatation cushion attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are set forth in this application. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitation or inferences are to be understood therefrom.

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components related to the system. Accordingly, the device components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Furthermore, throughout the specification and claims, the term “infant” should be interpreted to comprise the group consisting of humans between 2 months of age and 3 years of age.

In general, the embodiments described herein relate to a water safety training device (“the device”) which facilitates water skills training for infants under the supervision of one or more caretakers in shallow water environments. In some embodiments, the device includes a floatation cushion which can support an infant's head or upper torso depending on the method of use. The device is dimensioned to receive various sizes and configurations of infants.

FIG. 1 illustrates a left side view of the device 100, according to some embodiments. The device 100 comprises a base 10 and receptacle 20. The base 10 is dimensioned to be comfortably placed on the floor of a standard sized bathtub with the bottom 15 of the base 10 being approximately flush to the surface of a bathtub floor during use. Preferably, the width of the base's lower portion 11 is greater than or equal to the width of the base's upper portion 12. An open-ended receptacle 20 is placed onto the top surface 13 of the base 11 such that the bottom of the receptacle is approximately flush to the top surface 13 of the base 11. The receptacle 20 may connect to the base's top 13 with at least one fastener selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, magnets, latches, and carabiners. Alternatively, the receptacle 20 may be constructed to readily engage and disengage with the base's top 13 by ‘snapping into place” and “snapping out of place”. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the receptacle 20 may connect to the base 10 using a variety of well-known alternative methods of connection without departing from the scope of the claims. Preferably, the base and the receptable are constructed of a strong and submergible material of an inflexible or semi-flexible nature.

FIG. 2 illustrates the left side view of the preferred embodiment of the device 100 which includes a floatation cushion 30 configured to support an infant's head or upper torso during use of the device. The floatation cushion 30 is constructed of a buoyant material. The floatation cushion 30 is removably engaged to the outer rim 14 of the base 10 using a pair of tethers 33. The tethers 33 are removably engaged to the outer rim 14 with at least one fastener selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, magnets, latches, and carabiners. Similarly, the tethers 33 are removably engaged to the floatation cushion 30 with at least one fastener selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, magnets, latches, and carabiners. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the tethers 33 may be configured to connect to the base 10 and floatation cushion 30 using a variety of well-known alternative methods of connection without departing from the scope of the claims. Preferably, the tethers are made out of a flexible and submergible material and are readily adjustable in length.

In the preferred embodiment, each tether 33 is symmetrically connected to their respective opposing end of the floatation cushion 30 at their respective connection point 32. The connection points 32 are located between the floatation cushion's cross-section's major axis 31 and the flotation cushion's outer edge, whereby the floatation cushion 30 resists rotation around its center 34 while the floatation cushion is submerged or partially submerged in water during use of the device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a left side view of the preferred embodiment of the device 100 with the floatation cushion attached in relation to a bathtub 110 and water line 120 during use. During the device's set up and water skills training, the water level and length of the tethers 33 can be readily adjusted as needed.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the device 100 without the floatation cushion 30 and tethers 33 attached. The receptacle 20 comprises a floor 23, a left ear 21, and a right ear 22. The left ear 21 and the right ear 22 opposingly extend from the floor 23. The receptacle 20 is dimensioned to support an infant's torso or legs during use. During water skills training, the left ear 21 and right ear 22 function to prevent lateral rotation of the infant and the floor 23 functions to support the infant being submerged or partially submerged in the water. When viewed from this perspective, the receptacle 20 is “U” shaped.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the preferred embodiment of the device 100 with the floatation cushion attached. Preferably, the floatation cushion 30 is a cylinder or an elongated oval with a length less than or equal to the width of the base's lower portion 11.

FIG. 6 illustrates the isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the device without the floatation cushion attached to better display the device's proportions, structure, and elements. In this embodiment, the left ear 21 and the right ear 22 are hexagonally shaped in order to provide ample arm and leg movement for an infant during use of the device. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the left ear 21 and right ear 22 may be constructed to take on a plurality of different shapes, including but not limited to, circular and rectangular embodiments, without departing from the claims.

FIG. 7 illustrates the isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the device with the floatation cushion attached to better display the device's structure and elements. During certain water skills training exercises, an infant's head or upper torso will be supported by the floatation cushion at location 35.

In some embodiments, the base and the receptacle may be constructed of metals, metal alloys, plastic, wood, or other materials which are durable enough to withstand repeated use and regular contact with water. Similarly, a combination of materials may be utilized, such as a dense metal or plastic alloy for the base's lower portion to ensure stability of the device during use.

In some embodiments, the base 10 and the receptacle 20 may be constructed from a single material in such a way that they form a single part that cannot be readily separated into one or more parts.

In some embodiments, the base 10 is secured to the floor of a bathtub with one or more suction cups connected to the underside of the base 10.

In some embodiments, a singular tether is used to removably engage a floatation cushion with the base, whereby the floatation cushion's range of motion during use is limited by the length of the tether.

Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A water skills training device comprising: a base, the base having a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion having an outer rim and a first width, the upper portion having a top surface and a second width, the first width being greater than or equal to the second width; and a receptacle removably engaged to the upper portion of the base, the receptacle having a floor and two opposing ears extending from the floor; wherein the receptacle is constructed and arranged to receive and support an infant during water skills training.
 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising: a tether with a first end and a second end removably engaged to the outer rim of the base's lower portion with at least one fastener selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, magnets, latches, and carabiners; a floatation cushion removably engaged to the tether with at least one fastener selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, magnets, latches, and carabiners; wherein the floatation cushion is constructed of a buoyant material and is configured to support an infant's head or upper torso during water skills training.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the lower portion of the base is constructed of a denser material than the upper portion of the base and the receptacle.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein the receptacle's ears are hexagonally shaped.
 5. The device of claim 2 further comprising: a suction means connected to the underside of the base.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein the receptacle's ears are hexagonally shaped.
 7. The water skills training device of claim 1 further comprising: a first tether removably engaged to the outer rim of the base's lower portion with at least one fastener selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, magnets, latches, and carabiners; a second tether removably engaged to the outer rim of the base's lower portion with at least one fastener selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, magnets, latches, and carabiners; a floatation cushion having a first end and a second end; wherein the first end is removably engaged to the first tether with at least one fastener selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, magnets, latches, and carabiner; wherein the second end is removably engaged to the second tether with at least one fastener selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, magnets, latches, and carabiners; and wherein the floatation cushion is constructed of a buoyant material and is configured to support an infant's head or upper torso during water skills training.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein the cross section of the floatation cushion is oval in shape.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein the floatation device's first end is removably engaged to the first tether at a connection point located between the floatation cushion's outer edge and the floatation cushion's cross-section's major axis and the floatation device's second end is removably engaged to the second tether at a connection point located between the floatation cushion's outer edge and the floatation cushion's cross-section's major axis, whereby the floatation cushion resists rotation around its center while the floatation cushion is submerged or partially submerged in water.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein the lower portion of the base is constructed of a denser material than the upper portion of the base and the receptacle.
 11. The device of claim 10 wherein the receptacle's ears are hexagonally shaped.
 12. The device of claim 9 further comprising: a suction means connected to the underside of the base.
 13. The device of claim 12 wherein the receptacle's ears are hexagonally shaped.
 14. A method of training one or more infants water skills comprising: obtaining a water skills training device comprising: a base, said base having a lower portion and an upper portion, said lower portion having an outer rim and a first width, said upper portion having a top surface and a second width, the first width being greater than or equal to the second width; a receptacle removably engaged to the upper portion of the base, the receptacle having a floor and two opposing ears extending from the floor; and a floatation cushion removably engaged to the base with one or more tethers and configured to configured to support an infant's head or upper torso during water skills training; and placing an infant in the receptacle with their back or tummy in contact with the floor of the receptacle. 